Fear of School may also be referred to as “SCHOOLFEAR.” School fear is a phobia that occurs when an individual experiences extreme anxiety or fear when in, near, or thinking about a school.
It can occur in both children and adults. The disorder may be related to one’s own school experience, such as bullying by teachers or classmates. Or it may be associated with a specific school situation seen as dangerous or threatening.
It may also be related to the memory of a traumatic experience at school. The Fear of School may vary in intensity and can range from mild (feeling anxious and having sweating and trembling, but not so extreme as to cause panic) to severe (with all the symptoms of an anxiety disorder). For some, the Fear is of the school environment, not the School itself.
Table of Contents
Here are ways how to overcome school fear
1. Recognize School Fear / School Anxiety
School Fear / School Anxiety is a Phobia
“School Fear” means the Fear of the environment rather than the School; Fear is associated with schools seen as dangerous.
“School Anxiety” means a feeling of worry, nervousness, or tension when in, near, or thinking about a school.
The feeling is not necessarily accompanied by Fear. It may also be associated with specific situations such as daydreaming about an exam or classroom activities like sports and games. The feeling is not necessarily accompanied by panic or anxiety attacks.
2. Identify the Cause of School Fear
What is the cause of School Fear / School Anxiety?
For some people, the Fear of School may be related to histories, such as trauma and raid. Others are scared by a bad experience at School, especially a traumatic one. Still, others suffer from children’s fears as they grow up. The cause is different for different people.
It may be related to children’s fears of monsters at night or the Fear of ghosts around them in their house or neighborhood. The cause may sometimes be seen as unfair treatment by others, for example, being called names or teased by classmates.
In some cases, the cause may be a traumatic experience in School. Some people are afraid of bullying. For example, they may be beaten up by bullies or other students.
In other cases, the Fear of School may be attributed to being punished by teachers or peers that one fears being poorly treated the next time they meet them in School.
3. Realize that the Fear is Irrational – Use this to Help Overcome it
This is a crucial step for overcoming School Fear / School Anxiety. A person with School Fear / School Anxiety tends to exaggerate a threat. Fear is often out of proportion to the danger that exists. Here are ways in which Fear can be assessed:
If you fear your teachers or classmates will do something to you, ask yourself how likely this will happen. Does this happen at other schools?
If you are afraid of getting punished for something, ask yourself if you have ever been punished in School before or even outside School for doing the same thing.
4. Realize that the Fear is Irrational – Use this to Help Overcome it
This is a crucial step for overcoming School Fear / School Anxiety. A person with School Fear / School Anxiety tends to exaggerate a threat. Fear is often out of proportion to the danger that exists. Here are ways in which Fear can be assessed:
If you fear your teachers or classmates will do something to you, ask yourself how likely this will happen. Does this happen at other schools?
If you are afraid of getting punished for something, ask yourself if you have ever been punished in School before or even outside School for doing the same thing.
5. Identify the level of School Fear / School Anxiety – Use this to Help Overcome it
This is another essential step for overcoming School Fear / School Anxiety. The degree of Fear depends on how severe it is. It may vary from mild to severe, but most people are not so extreme as to cause panic. [for example, they may have sweating and trembling, but not so extreme as to cause panic]
6. Realize that you can learn to control your School Fear / School Anxiety
Consider this point very carefully. Most people with school fear tend to do too much about their Fear rather than too little. They tend to over-analyze the situation.
They may spend too much time worrying about what could go wrong rather than trying to focus on what is going right. Their imagination worsens, and they can make things much worse for themselves.
It would help if you realized that your school fear is unreasonable and can’t do anything about it.
7. Work on your School Fear / School Anxiety gradually
Break the Fear into smaller steps
In this case, you must work on your school anxiety in manageable steps. For example, instead of trying to face an entire day of School, start with a short time – say a few hours.
If you have to stay at School for more than a few hours, break the time into shorter periods and work on them separately. Three-hour periods are usually the easiest to tackle.
The idea is that you should get used to being at School in smaller increments and build up your confidence as much as possible.
8. Work on the Fear even when you are not at School
Prepare for your next School Day
When you work on your Fear, you should be prepared for whatever happens. If something doesn’t go right, you must acknowledge it and learn from it – but don’t let this put you off.
Some things will go wrong initially, but they will improve as time goes by. So, here is what to do:
Practice Relaxation Techniques
This is very important in overcoming School Fear / School Anxiety, especially at first (because of the panic). The idea is not to try and “take” your Fear away by thinking about it or trying to get rid of it.
It is not healthy to try and eliminate a problem by removing the cause. Accepting it without trying to get rid of it entirely is healthier.
Learn to Relax – Use this to Help Overcome it
This is very important in overcoming School Fear / School Anxiety, especially at first (because of the panic). The idea is not to try and “take” your Fear away by thinking about it or trying to get rid of it. It is not healthy to try and eliminate a problem by removing the cause. Accepting it without trying to get rid of it entirely is healthier.
Conclusion
School phobia is a real problem for many kids; if you suffer from it, you may feel lost about what to do. However, there are some things you can do to help yourself get over it. The first step is to realize that Fear is irrational – there may have been a reason for it at one point, but it doesn’t exist any longer.